The family of a prisoner who died in a Missouri prison said that the man was “brutally killed” by members of the correctional facility in a lawsuit.
The family of Othel Moore Jr. have raised a lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Correction and the Jefferson City Correctional Facility after the 38-year-old died in Jefferson City on December 8, 2023.
The family’s lawsuit writes that Moore Jr. was “brutally restrained and mummified” by the defendants, named as being members of the correction center’s emergency response team.
It adds that they “ignored his struggle to breathe, and left him to slowly and painfully suffocate.”
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According to the lawsuit, the prisoner, who was Black, was pepper-sprayed and shocked by a type of glove used in prisons by officers to help with inmate compliance.
Oriel Moore describes her life without her brother, Othel Moore Jr., to reporters on December 19, 2023, at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. The family of Moore Jr. filed a lawsuit against the Missouri… Oriel Moore describes her life without her brother, Othel Moore Jr., to reporters on December 19, 2023, at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. The family of Moore Jr. filed a lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Correction and the Jefferson City Correctional Facility after his death.
Summer Ballentine/AP
He was also reportedly restrained, and given a spit hood—which prevents a person from being able to spit—as well as a helmet and leg wraps.
He was then allegedly confined to a restraint cart and isolated in a small, enclosed space known as a dry cell, the lawsuit adds.
It continues that Moore Jr. had said repeatedly that he was unable to breathe, and accuses the defendants of ignoring his pleas.
The lawsuit writes that Moore Jr. was “left to die alone in a cell, deprived of the basic dignity of medical care and human attention. Moore should not have died. He just needed someone to care about him.”
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It also alleges that Moore Jr.’s death was not “an isolated incident, but rather the product of a systematic pattern of coercion, brutality, intimidation, reckless disregard and deliberate indifference fostered the Missouri Department of Corrections’ highest-ranking officials.”
It was reported in the lawsuit that these events were recorded on video and “witnessed by many.” The lawsuit was filed on October 24.
In the video released by the family, guards are seen holding Moore Jr.’s arms as he kneeled on the floor and lay face down.
They then bound his legs, covered his face and strapped him into a cart. Moore Jr. did not appear to struggle with the guards.
Moore’s movements gradually slowed until he became motionless. It was 10 minutes later a nurse went to check on him and found him dead.
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“This graphic video evidence shows the unjustified and brutal murder of Othel Moore, a 38-year-old Black man, by correctional officers at the Jefferson City Correctional Center. This is one of the most egregious prison death cases in America,” attorney Andrew M. Stroth, managing director of Action Injury Law Group, a Chicago -based civil rights law firm, told Newsweek.
In a statement released by the Missouri Department of Corrections, the center said that Moore Jr. died while “in a restraint system designed to prevent injury to himself and others.”
The department has reportedly stopped the use of the restraint system Moore was held in since the incident of his death.
In the update shared in June 2024, the correction center reported that Cole County Prosecuting Attorney had pressed felony charges against five former corrections staff members in connection with Moore’s death.
In total, ten people were reportedly involved in the incident, and those individuals are allegedly no longer employed by the department or its contractors, the report added.
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Per the Missouri Department of Corrections report, Moore was serving a 30-year sentence for convictions of second-degree domestic assault, possession of a controlled substance, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, and violence to an inmate or employee of the Department of Corrections.
Newsweek has contacted the Missouri Department of Corrections via email for comment.
Update 10/31/24, 2:22 p.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from attorney Andrew M. Stroth.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Damon Wilson II is reportedly set to transfer again after a nine-sack season at Missouri. Ed Zurga / Getty Images
Damon Wilson II, the player at the center of a lawsuit showdown with Georgia over his transfer to Missouri last year, is planning to re-enter the portal, a source briefed on the decision said.
Wilson figures to be a premium target for teams that need an edge rusher: He led Missouri with nine sacks this season, which was tied for third in the SEC. The news of his plans was reported by On3 on Tuesday afternoon. But his decision to enter is more intriguing given his ongoing legal dispute with Georgia over his exit from that program last year.
Wilson spent his first two seasons in Athens. He transferred to Missouri last January. In October, Georgia sued him, seeking $390,000 in damages from Wilson for leaving the team after the program said he signed an agreement to return for the 2025 season. Georgia filed to compel Wilson to arbitration.
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Wilson answered on Dec. 23 by filing a lawsuit against Georgia in Boone County, Mo. Wilson’s attorneys alleged a civil conspiracy by Georgia’s athletic department and collective to “penalize Wilson for his decision to transfer.” The lawsuit also alleged the agreement Wilson signed with Georgia in December 2024 was not a contract.
This was believed to be the first time a player and a school took each other to court over a transfer decision and figures to be closely watched. Wilson leaving Missouri would not end the court proceedings.
Wilson’s legal representatives did not offer immediate comment on Tuesday afternoon.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
04-18-24-51-56, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
Midday: 2-4-6
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Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 2-4-5
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
Midday: 6-0-7-3
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Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 8-9-9-5
Evening Wild: 4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
01-15-50-55-57, Cash Ball: 02
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Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
Early Bird: 06
Morning: 02
Matinee: 11
Prime Time: 15
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Night Owl: 03
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
01-02-22-27-33
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
15-22-39-41-62, Powerball: 09
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Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
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Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
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When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of central banks.
The Ankeny Police Department is asking anyone from Ankeny and across the Des Moines metro to come forward if they think they may be a victim of a Missouri man who is accused of running a cryptocurrency investment scam.
Charles Spencer Burri of Columbia, Missouri, was arrested and charged with financial exploitation of an elder and stealing $750 or more. The Columbia Police Department alleged Burri — owner and operator of Burri Asset Management LLC — has solicited thousands of dollars for cryptocurrency investments but stopped responding to victims after he received their money.
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Columbia police reported to Ankeny they had uncovered evidence Burri possibly met with people in Ankeny and the Des Moines metro in July 2025, according to a news release Friday, Jan. 2.
Ankeny police believe there may be additional victims in the area who have not been identified, according to the release. Sgt. Trevor McGraw in Ankeny said Monday that no victims had come forward over the weekend.
Anyone who Burri or Burri Asset Management LLC may have contacted, or who has experienced financial loss through a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme, is encouraged to contact the Ankeny Police Department through its non-emergency line at 515-286-3333, extension 5, and file a report.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com.Find out more about him onlinein the Register’s staff directory.
